Jay Smith & Associates: Åland: Specimen Overprints: Press Publicity

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Åland: Specimen Overprints: Press Publicity

Starting in 1992, Åland (and also Finland, under which Åland postal activities were still operating) began using a specimen overprint on stamps that were distributed prior to the day of issue, sent only to members of the press. The post office absolutely refused to supply these stamps to collectors or dealers. (I tried!) They were sent out strictly one-each and only to members of the press. These "early" specimen overprints consisted of a printed diagonal black line in one corner. To the best of my knowledge, by the end of 1992, Åland discontinued using identifiable markings for this purpose (I believe because they realized that they did not wish to create a collectible variety which some collectors were already complaining about being unable to obtain). [Finland also discontinued the "line" marking on their stamps, but instead started using identifiable round markings that served the same purpose. I do stock older Finnish Specimen and these modern Press Specimen stamps.] Åland gained its postal independence as of 1993 and thus only (some?) 1992 issues were overprinted in this fashion. Following postal independence, Åland distributed mint stamps to the press. The Åland (and Finland) Press Specimen overprints are not listed in any catalog of which I am aware. They are very difficult to obtain. Because they were sent out only one-each to members of the press there are no "stocks" of them and they can only be found by chance and with great luck. Scott numbers have been used unless otherwise indicated, however our Åland listings are presented in issue date order.

Press Publicity

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Item #

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Never
Hinged

US$

244222

Scott #62 PRESS SPECIMEN [1992 Frans Peter Von Knorring] NH VF with diagonal overprint line in lower right corner. Distributed only to members of the press. Examples are very difficult to find.